Welcome to the Downtown Hitout – Round 2
What: 4 quarter scratch match. 12 on field, bench numbers depending on final attendees. 9:30 warm up 10am game start. Central umpire will rotate between the teams. Make sure all players wear 2020 training tops as the alternate strips will be the 2 team uniforms.
Who: Also known as the Bagel Bros Bash – 2 squads (see below) led up by Sean and Nathan Milner
Where: Hoa Lu Stadium, District 1, Cnr Dien Tien Hoang and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai
Can You Join?
Absolutely, squads are will follow from round 1 but extra players will help us fill out the bench. Men, women, experienced or curious… Come down, watch, have a run, enjoy! We’d love to see as many people out making the most of the chance to play some extended footy!
Ding, Ding, Ding – Round 2 – Fight!
The success of round 1 has led to every last Saturday of the month being scheduled for fully fledged hitouts. Round 1 the points went to Nath Milner’s Yellows. They simply out structured Sean Milner’s Blues. Nath and the Grouch unpassable a kick behind the ball and Vinh running riot on a wing seemingly unchecked all day. Matty Barton and Garry Lombard got their run going out of the backline after some early goals for the Blues and up front the big boys Rooster and Will didn’t miss anything. For the Blues Seany and Dinh Anh were tireless at the contest, Sha Mac dangerous early hitting the scoreboard and GUS dropping back until some friendly fire knocked the very last of his breath out of him late in the game.
The Teams
The Talking Points
Turning it around Sean’s Blues team have it all ahead of them. Whilst being competitive in the contest the Yellows structure in all parts of the field consistently had overlaps appearing enabling end to end ball movement on the shorter Hoa Lu track. The brains trust must come up with something more accountable outside the contest if they’re going to contain the Yellows and square the series at 1 a piece.
Availability – There’s no doubt, the lingering wet season, work, family, lack of upcoming international tournaments have led to some inconsistent training efforts through the middle of 2020. Having the key players on deck is going to be crucial in Round 2.
Game Changers – A few missing players in round 1 and some new recruits could see a different look to the Round 2 contest. Hoa Lu resident Chris has finally put a training session in and if he can make the 15 metre trip to the field on Saturday will provide a great marking target for his team. Others to put it on the track but yet to bring it to the heat of battle are Chino, James and Brandon. Dan Rose has teased the Swans since an electric session out in district 9 and without any rugby complications this week has thrown his hat in the ring. Wayne ‘Marlion Picket’ has promised to put a hand break on his Friday night activities and if he shows could have an impact along the lines of his namesake late September 2019 at the MCG.
The Kids – Lacking match practice meant that some of the players faded noticeably through the later quarters of Round 1. This bought the younger Viet boys into the contest in a huge way. Not only were the skills silky but the ability to keep getting to the outside ball became more and more valuable as the game went on. If the game is closer in Round 2 the young boys going head to head could become the deciding factor!
The Weather – What would a typical Saigon Scratchie be without a typical Saigon weather forecast? “32 and thunderstorms” – bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a poncho to head home.
Don’t forget! Helping the kids straight after at 2pm at Playmakers
We’re hosting a fun trivia afternoon to help the Vung Tau Orphanage who are doing it super tough in 2020, Details at the Facebook Event Here. Please donate a bit if you can’t make it so we can help contribute to get some supplies to them as they deal with extra influx of children in need with less support from volunteers and donors overseas.
